Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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661. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the changes in the operation of the HAP scheme and the rent supplement scheme; if he will consider extending the flexibility in terms of the rent supplement ceilings to County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26316/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Consistent with its stated commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government, the Government increased both Rent Supplement and Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) rent limits in every local authority area, taking account of geographic variations in market rents, with effect from 1 July 2016. In addition, additional flexibility above the existing HAP rent limits was made available to all local authorities operating HAP from the same date. These changes have the effect of providing further targeted supports to those households in most need; providing prospective HAP recipients with access to a greater number of properties in the market; and reducing the number of households falling into homelessness.

The average increase in the HAP rent limit applicable to household types in Offaly was 12%. In addition, the local authority was provided with flexibility to increase the relevant rent limit by a further 20% in order to facilitate households to access a suitable property.

The Rent Supplement scheme falls under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection.